Prep H vs Tucks vs T.N. Dickinson vs Frida Mom vs Dude – Curist

By Deni Hui, The University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy

Curist delivers FDA-approved allergy medicines to your door at half the price of traditional brands. We hope everyone stays safe and healthy during this time.

As you may have already noticed, there are several over-the-counter (OTC) options to choose from when it comes to treating hemorrhoids. In this article, we will be looking at several of the most commonly used OTC witch hazel wipes indicated for relieving hemorrhoid symptoms, and discuss their similarities and differences.

Witch hazel is a plant, and the leaf, bark, and twigs of this plant are used to make medicine. Witch hazel is an astringent with anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. It is widely used as a natural topical remedy to treat a variety of conditions ranging from acne and eczema to hemorrhoids.

Topical witch hazel is available in different formulations, such as liquid, gel, soap, or topical pads (also known as wipes). Witch hazel wipes and witch hazel pads are convenient to use and are often used to relieve itching, burning, and irritation caused by hemorrhoids. They can also be used to clean the outer vaginal area after childbirth or the rectal area following rectal surgery.

Witch hazel wipes for hemorrhoids are meant for use in adults and children 12 years of age and older. The application directions may vary for each specific product, so be sure to check the specific product label first prior to use. In general, upon unsealing the pouch, unfold one wipe and cleanse the irritated area by gently wiping, patting, or blotting. One wipe should be enough, but you may repeat until all matter is removed from the area if necessary. You can apply witch hazel wipes up to 6 times daily or after each bowel movement. The witch hazel hemorrhoids can also be used before applying other topical hemorrhoid treatments. After use, discard the wipe. 

If you do not experience symptom relief or if your hemorrhoid symptoms get worse while using the medicated witch hazel wipes, make sure to consult your doctor or local pharmacist.

Yes, there is a wide range of products formulated with witch hazel for treating your hemorrhoids: including Preparation H® Medicated Wipes, Tucks® Medicated Cooling Pads, T.N. Dickinson®’s Witch Hazel Pads with Aloe, Frida Mom®’s Witch Hazel Perineal Cooling Pad Liners, DUDE® Medicated Wipes, and Curist Medicated Wipes Maximum Strength. These wipes and pads are made with witch hazel 50% to provide medicated relief that soothes irritation, hemorrhoids, and burning. 

Each of the pads in these brand products has witch hazel to soothe and protect irritated skin so you can use them daily to cleanse your outer rectal and vaginal areas or as a moist compress to use on any inflamed tissues. These are meant to be applied externally up to 6 times daily or after each bowel movement.

The main difference among these brands of medicated hemorrhoid wipes is their size. DUDE® Medicated Wipes are 35% larger in size than average flushable wipes and contain both Aloe and Vitamin E. Tucks® Medicated Cooling Pads, on the other hand, are small in size and may sometimes be hard to apply. Curist Medicated Wipes are flushable, contain the strongest strength of witch hazel with added aloe, and are the most affordable option on the market.

We recommend that the best hemorrhoid wipes are medicated witch hazel wipes. Medicated witch hazel wipes from Curist, Preparation H, Tucks, T.N. Dickinson and DUDE all contain the maximum strength witch hazel (50%) that helps soothe and protect your irritated areas. Most of these wipes and pads are also pH balanced, hypo-allergenic, dye-free and can be particularly helpful in treating minor bleeding, skin irritation and relieving discomfort following rectal or vaginal surgery. Thus, using any of these products can be equally effective in treating hemorrhoids and it may eventually come down to your own personal preference. Curist Medicated Wipes also have aloe and are the most affordable wipes.

Frida Mom witch hazel products are designed for people who are pregnant or in postpartum recovery. Hemorrhoids are very common in pregnancy and during the postpartum period. This can be due to the physical and hormonal changes that can occur during pregnancy or by the strain of pushing during labor which can either develop new hemorrhoids or also worsen existing ones.

Witch hazel is broadly safe and effective to use for most adults when applied directly to the skin. However, vigorous wiping may sometimes cause irritation of the superficial layers of the skin, repeatedly causing itching and burning.

It is important to keep in mind that a very serious allergic reaction to witch hazel is rare, though possible. If you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction such as rash, itching or swelling of the face, tongue or throat, severe dizziness or trouble breathing, seek medical attention right away.

Preparation H or Tucks? | HemRid

Preparation H or Tucks? | HemRid

Hemorrhoids can be a bothersome condition that most people don’t want to face. The stigma of embarrassment that comes with them can put extra stress on the issue, especially when patients don’t know where to turn for treatment. Many patients don’t want to seek medical help, so they turn to self-diagnosis and self-treatment options. The good news is that there are many ways to treat hemorrhoids that don’t require medical consultation.

Of course, you should always seek the help of a medical professional to properly diagnose and treat the condition. But there are at-home and over-the-counter remedies that will do the trick until you get in to see your doctor. In fact, there are so many treatment options today that it can be overwhelming to decide which to try. With multiple brands and different products on the market, it’s a great resource when other people review products and provide feedback or insight. Let’s explore two popular brands and review the pros and cons of their products for effective hemorrhoid treatment.

Preparation H vs. Tucks

Preparation H and Tucks are two brands of hemorrhoid treatment that have been around for a while. There are pros and cons to each brand, but the longevity of these companies show us that they are doing something right. In most cases of hemorrhoids, successful treatment depends on the size and type of hemorrhoid you have. Also, many patients respond differently to different treatments. So, what works for you might not work for another patient.

Although there are many factors that come into play when it comes to hemorrhoids treatment, Preparation H and Tucks are two reputable companies who have been helping patients control the symptoms of their hemorrhoids for years. Both brands have multiple products available that cover a variety of symptoms. And when it comes to comparing, which brand is better truly depends on the product you are using.

Preparation H Products

Preparation H may be the more popular brand because they spend a good amount of money on marketing their products. When it comes to creams, ointments, and suppositories, Preparation H takes the top spot in the industry. That’s because the brand has spent years perfecting their line and making new formulas to target specific symptoms.

Let’s take a look at some of the Preparation H creams, ointments, and suppositories available, and the symptoms they treat. Some of the top Preparation H products include:

• Preparation H Ointment- This was the first product released on the market by the brand. It works by temporarily shrinking swollen blood vessels to relieve the symptoms of irritation, discomfort, and pain. The moisture in the ointment provides a protective barrier on the skin. Most Preparation H products take a 4 ingredient approach to cover multiple symptoms. This product contains Phenylephrine HCl which helps constrict blood vessels, shortening healing time.
• Preparation H Cooling Gel- For patients dealing with pain and burning sensations from hemorrhoids, the sound of this product’s name is a relief in itself. Preparation H Cooling Gel contains witch hazel to soothe pain and itch. Like the ointment, it contains Phenylephrine HCl to shrink swollen blood vessels and alleviate pain and irritation.
• Preparation H Maximum Strength Pain Relief Cream- This product is a stronger formula that contains some of the same active ingredients of the ointment, but also has Pramoxine HCl. Pramoxine HCl is a topical anesthetic that is fast acting to relieve pain, ease burning, and treat swelling and bleeding.
• Preparation H Rapid Relief with Lidocaine Hemorrhoid Cream- This is another fast-acting, amped up formula that contains lidocaine to numb the sensations of pain, itch, and burning. It also contains glycerin to soothe and protect the skin for shorter healing times.
• Preparation H Suppositories- As one of the leading suppository products for hemorrhoids, Preparation H suppositories work well to combat internal hemorrhoids. They contain soothing cocoa butter to moisturize and heal and Pheylephrine HCl to constrict swollen blood vessels.
• Preparation H Anti-Itch Cream- This hemorrhoid cream contains hydrocortisone to target the symptoms of bothersome itch.

The Preparation H line also carries two different medicated wipes. While the products are effective, this is where Tucks comes in. As mentioned earlier, both brands are regarded as the top on the market, but with different products. Preparation H takes the trophy on creams, ointments, and suppositories. But Tucks comes in for the win on medicated wipes.

Tucks Products

Tucks is a well-respected brand in the line of medicated pads to treat hemorrhoids. When it comes to hemorrhoid wipes, they take the market as the leader in the product. The brand is even used by hospitals to help comfort patients after child birth, rectal surgery, or vaginal surgery.

Tucks medicated pads contain witch hazel and provide immediate relief from the burning and itching of hemorrhoids. The witch hazel works by cooling, soothing, and protecting the irritated area. Because Tucks are pH balanced, hypo-allergenic, and dye-free, they are even safe for daily hygienic care. And some patients fold the pads and use them as a moist compress for inflamed tissue.

While most patients use Tucks to treat the bothersome symptoms of hemorrhoids, others have found them to be a helpful part of their daily hygiene routine. When used in this way, they can even help prevent future occurrence of hemorrhoids. Since some hemorrhoids have been reported to be caused by improper hygiene after bowel movements, Tucks can help properly clean the anus to reduce the presence of irritation.

So, both brands have their own strong suits, and there’s even more good news that goes with that. Since the Tucks medicated pads are safe for daily use, many patients use them in conjunction with Preparation H creams, ointments, or suppositories. The two brands can be very effective when used together. Preparation H products help to alleviate symptoms of pain, swelling, and discomfort, and the medicated wipes ensure proper hygiene and provide immediate relief following bowel movements.